Spring-heel for



(No Model.) zsneets-sheet. 1. G. E. SWAN.

SPRING HEEL FOR BOOTS OR SHOES.

. Patented July, 1884.

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' UNITED STATES Aliirrnivfr Ormes.

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.SPRING-HEEL FonyeooTs on SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part o Letters Patent No. 301,534, dated July 8x 1884.

A pplicntion lcd February 21,1834. (No model.)

o mit wwm t rita/,y concern.:

Be it known that I, GEORGE SWAN,

a citizen of the United States,y residing at Beaver Dani, in the county of Dodge and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring-Heels for Boots and Shoes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the inventiomsuch as will enable others skilled in the art to Which rit appertains to make and use the same.

rlhis invention relates to that class of spring or elasticdevices which are secured or attached to the heels of boots and shoes, to impart ease and elasticity to the step of the wearer.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this class which will possess superior advantages in pointof simplicity, durability, and general efficiency, and Which can be readily connected with or attached to the heel, or disconnected from the same with facility and convenience.

To this end my invention consists, substantially, in providing a casing or its equivalent, formed of rubber or other suitable elastic material, and adapted to be applied to the heel of a boot or shoe, said casing being provided with a projection or protuberance on its under contact-surface and with a corresponding cavity in its inner surface. By this arrangement, in walking, the said projection will come in contact with the pavement beforethe fullvsurface of the heel strikes, `and will be depressed up Within the said cavity,` when as soon as the foot is again lifted its elasticity Will immediately return it to its normal position.

ln the drawings, Figure l. is a side` elevation of a shoe provided with my invention. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical transverse sectional vienr taken through the same on the line m, Fig. 41. Fig. a is a corresponding detail sectional view taken vertically and longitudinally on the line y gy, Fig. 2.` Fig. 5 is a top view' of my improved spring attachment detached and shown in detail. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional vier;r in detail, illustrating a modification. Fig. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a modification. Fig. S is a side eleva- 5o tion illustrating anothermodication.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by the same letters of reference. Referring to the drawings, A designates a boot or shoe heel, which may be of any ordinary -or suitable shape and construction, and is, when specially adapted for use in connection `Wit-h my invention, preferably of a less height than is otherwise customary.

B designates the spring casing or attachnient, Which'comprises a bottom portion, b, adapted to come under the contact-surface a of the heel. rlhis casing is formed of rubber or other suitable elastic material by casting, molding, or in any lother desired manner. It conforms to the size and contour of the heel, and is provided with side Walls, b,which clasp the side surfaces, c', of the heel, and may by theiroivn elasticity retain the casing in` position upon the heel and against accidental displacement. Suitable elastic strips, t, may, however, be provided upon the casing, to extend over the body of the shoe, and serve as an additional safeguard against accidental displacement of the casing. From the contactsurface b3 of the portion t is provided a projection or protuberance, b, and a corresponding cavity, b5, is provided in the inner surface, Il, of this portion b. This protnberance and corresponding cavity may be of any suitable shape, and may be disposed at any suitable vpoint in relation to the contact-surface. The said protuberance is however preferably of ovolo -convex forni, and is disposed transversely at about the center or two-thirds rearwardly of the vsaid contactsurface. The cavity in the inner surface is therefore convex, this concaveconveX formation being illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and being the form I prefer to use in carrying out my invention.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 the con'-A cavity b5 is covered by a Wall or layer, bl, by which construction all liability ofthe concavity receiving dust, dirt, or other obstructions is' obviated.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood and appreciated. My im proved spring attachment is adapted to be readily adjusted to its position upon the heel, and will be found specially useful for `waiters and other persons Who are upon their feet much of the time. It can of course be Worn indoors and out, and Will impart to the Qsv IOO

i tion as soon as the foot is lifted.

I do not limit myself tothe exact construe tion and arrangement herein shown and specified, but reserve the right of all modifications which properly fall Within the spirit and scope of my invention. For instance, the side Walls of the casing may be dispensed With, andthe bottom portion thereofy may be connected to the heel by any suitable means. My invention is also Well adapted to be applied to the soles of boots and shoes; or it may be applied in the constructionof the ordinary rubber overshoes now commonly in use.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the casing is secured to the heel by means of a small set-screw, al, at the baclnwhich Works through a screw-threaded perforation, bl, in a metallic plate, c7, secured at the inside' of the casing.

In another modification, as shown in Fig. 8, the casing is extended, as shown at as, above the heel, and is provided with a loop, bg, by which it can be pulled on, this form of casing being adapted to retain its position by its oWn elasticity.

It is also evident that in some cases the casing could be secured permanently to the heel by cement or other suitable means.

I claim as my invention- 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a spring or cushion attachment adapted to be secured, substantially as described, over the bottom surface of the heel of a boot or shoe, 4o and comprising a flat contact-surface, from which projects an elastic ridge, this ridge being depressed in Walking before the flat contact-surface of the attachment comes in contact with the ground, substantially as set forth. 45

2. The combination, With the solid heel of aboot or shoe, of an elastic attachment secured to the same, substantially as described, and covering the bottom of the heel, and provided with the transverse holloW ridge adapted to 5o be depressed in Walking, substantially as set forth.

3. The hereiadescribed spring-heel attachment for boots and shoes, comprising the sides and an elastic bottom portion formed with an 5 5 exterior ovolo-convex ridge or protuberance extending transversely and with a corresponding interior concavity, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 6o presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE n. sWAN.

Vitnesses:

' R. V. Boenizr,

FRANK J. DooLrrTLn. 

